10 Offseason Moves that Should (but won’t) Happen
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006The Yankess lost in the first round of the playoffs, the Red Sox didn’t even make the playoffs, and the Mets had an epidemic of injuries and didn’t make it to the World Series in a year they were all but crowned the kings of the National League. I think it’s safe to say that we’ll see quite a few movers and shakers in this off season. The Yankees, Mets, and BoSox will likely buy some high priced talent. The Cardinals will likely pull a few arms off the scrap heap for Dave Duncan to restore. The Kansas City Royals will spend little if any money, and none of it wisely. These are things we’ve all come to expect over the years. And, plenty of pundits will give you the inside scoop on what deals are on the horizon, who’s going where and for how much, and which players are staying put. Its all fascinating stuff. But, rather than jump into the middle of the pack, I’ve decided to give you 10 off-season moves that SHOULD but WON’T happen. Here they are:
- Atlanta Braves re-sign Greg Madux and Tom Glavine - This would reunite the two long time Braves with John Smoltz (now back in the rotation) for what may be Maddux’s last year playing. Also, Glavine is a mere 10 wins away from 300 and he should reach that milestone as a Brave. ESPN is currently reporting that the Mets and Glavine are close to a two year, 25 million dollar contract extension so I feel pretty safe including this as a move that WONT happen.
Tony LaRussa retires, Jose Oquendo takes over- LaRussa came to St. Louis with one goal in mind… a championship. In fact, he was so emphatic about that goal that he chose to wear the number 10 as a reminder that he was brought in to lead the Cardinals to their 10th World Series title. With that out of the way, Tony could seize this opportunity to ride off into the sunset. This season was perhaps the most taxing of LaRusa since he joined the Cardinals. His team endured a pair of eight game losing streaks, and a seven game skid in the month of September. They finished with a mere 83 regular season wins and yet, LaRussa managed the team to its first championship in over 20 years. Jose Oquendo has long been dubbed as a future manager and is a fan favorite in St. Louis. Allow GM, Walt Jockety, and LaRussa to shape the team during the off-season, and have Tony hand over the reigns to Oquendo at the start of the regular season. It would be perfect. Instead, Oquendo is interviewing in San Diego this week for their managerial position.
ARod traded to the Cardinals - I know, I know, but remember, these are moves that won’t happen right? Arod needs out of New York no matter what his agent or the Yankees say. What better place for an under appreciated star than St. Louis? The fans here give standing ovations for sacrifice bunts! You can be sure ARod wouldn’t be booed for putting up the same type of numbers he did for the Yankees this year. The deal would make great sense for St. Louis as well, filling their need of a big bat to protect Albert Pujols. Now, whether the Yankees would take Rollen, or perhaps one of the Cardinals young pitching stars, Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright, in a package deal, I have no idea. Sure the Cardinals would have to give up value to get a player of Arod’s caliber but hey, the deal should happen.- The Chicago Cubs sign Barry Zitto and Jason Schmidt - Look, if the past two years have taught us nothing else, we should have learned that solid pitching gets you to the post season, and possibly the World Series. Last year’s NL representative, the Houston Astros, had the potent 1-2-3 punch of Clemens, Oswalt, and Pettitte. This year’s champs won on the arms of Carpenter, Suppan, and a resurrected Jeff Weaver. Pitching is key. The Chicago Cubs have been annually disappointed as their young up-and-comers, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, have never materialized into the stars they had hoped to see. Carlos Zambrano has been the lone bright spot in the Cubs’ rotation the past few years. Signing both Zito and Schmidt would cost more than a pretty penny but imagine a rotation of Zambrano, Zito, and Schmidt (possibly followed by Prior). That would be a force to be reckoned with. Its time the Cubs opened up their purse strings and made some impact moves for their loyal loser loving fans.
- Roger Clemens re-signs with the Red Sox - The Sox are certainly going to make some noise this off season but no move they could make, would cause the stir of the Rocket returning to Fenway. Roger is perhaps the best pitcher of his time and should forever be identified with the Boston Red Sox. That’s just the way it should be…. even if it is for only half a year after the All Star Break. Can someone please make this one happen?
Daisuke Matsuzaka signed by anyone but a New York team - We all know George Steinbrenner and Omar Minaya have the money and the motivation to go out and buy the newest Japanese import (pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka), but wouldn’t it be nice to see someone other than a New York team win out on this one? I mean the Yankees bought Abreau at the trade deadline, and the Mets outbid everyone for Beltran a few years ago and Delgado last year. Can’t some highly talented free agent say “You know what, its not about money. I’ve always been a (insert small budget, small market team here) fan, and I want to sign with them.” Sure, in this case Matsuzaka doesn’t have much of a say in which team bids the most for the rights to negotiate with him but that’s not my point. I’d just like to see some team step up and unexpectedly snatch the prized pitcher away from the big money New York teams. (Prediction: the Yankees bid 35 million bucks and blow every other team out of the water on this one)- Barry Bonds retires - Every home run hitter in the game is already under intense suspicion because of the steroid erra in baseball. Let’s not have Mark McGwire on the Hall of Fame ballot, AND Barry breaking Hank Aaron’s all time home run mark in the same season how bout it? Barry could retire as a Giant (the only fans in the game who don’t hate him) and the game would be spared another season of will he or won’t he with Barry (will he break the record, will he get indicted, will he test positive). It would be nice if Barry quietly retired and let the game move on without him. However, since Barry’s ego is about the only thing bigger than his chemically enhanced arms (and head for that matter) this is about the least likely move on this list.
Ken Griffey Jr. traded to the Tigers - This one is simple. The Tigers need an impact bat. They had to rely on Sean Casey (!?!) this post season. Griffey needs to DH in the AL. The Kid’s swing is as sweet as it ever was but playing the field on a daily basis is something his body simply cannot do anymore. Also, Griffey needs to play on a contending team. I realize he desperately wanted to play for his home town Reds, but hasn’t he paid long enough for that mistake? Come on Cinci, set him free.- Soriano signs with the Oakland A’s - The A’s young pitching staff performed better than expected last year, as did the not quite done yet Frank Thomas. However, in the playoffs against the Tigers, it became abundantly clear that the A’s needed more offense. If the A’s can work something out with Thomas to bring him back for another year, placing Soriano in front of Thomas would provide them a New York-esque 1-2 punch in the heart of their order. Simply adding one more intimidating batter can revitalize the entire line up. Batters stop trying to press as hard to create runs and they also see more pitches to hit. Not to mention, Soriano would fit right in, in the young Oakland dugout.
- Cardinals re-sign Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan - sure I’ve been mentioning the Cardinals a lot but hey, the team won the World Series and now has exactly one arm in their rotation (not to mention its my article and I’m a fan). They’re going to have to make some moves. These two guys pitched lights out in the post season and despite Walt Jockety’s well publicized policy of not over paying for October performances, the extra money from the World Series win as well as the new stadium should be put directly back into the team, namely in the persons of Suppan and Weaver. These guys might go on and do well with other teams paying them more, but they’ll be hard pressed to find someone who can continue to tune them the way Dave Duncan has. With a little bit of give on both sides, this move could happen. However, with Yankee money already piling up in front of Suppan, its highly doubtful he’ll be wearing the birds on the bat next season.
Well, I’m sure many of you are going to have feedback on this one so don’t be afraid to leave a comment telling me why I’m wrong. If you’d rather, you can email me at info(at)fanforhire.com. And, in case any of these moves that SHOULD but WON’T happen, actually end up being made… you heard it here first.
Several sources are reporting that Ronnie Belliard will be traded to the Cardinals if he comes through the Indians’ game healthy. No word yet on who the Cards will be giving up, but there is also talk about the Cardinals also getting reliever Guillermo Motta. However, since the Indians are reportedly still in negotiations with other clubs about the pitcher, that would probably be a seperate deal if that happens at all. 
The Boss has bought himself a few more players it appears. Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle have been traded from the Phillies for two minor league prospects, a draft pick and reliever Matt Smith. This is basically a contract dump for the Phils who are ridding themselves of Abreu, who is due roughly $37 million and Lidle who is making $3.3 million this year. The Yankees are getting another power bat and a mediocre pitcher. The Yanks have been looking for offense since the injuries to Matsui and Sheffield.
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